Edge light type backlight unit

ABSTRACT

An edge light type backlight unit includes: a light source; a light guide plate which has an end surface, on which light emitted from the light source is incident, and propagates the light incident from the end surface; a rear-side reflective plate which is disposed on a surface side of the light guide plate; a perforated reflective plate which is disposed on a surface side of the light guide plate and has a plurality of fine holes, which penetrate from a surface on the light guide plate side to an emission-side surface facing the light guide plate-side surface and transmit light, and in which both the surface and the surface are reflection surfaces and a depolarization degree of the surface is 60% or less; and a circular polarization reflection film which is disposed on the surface side of the perforated reflective plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of InternationalApplication No. PCT/JP2016/005187 filed Dec. 20, 2016, which waspublished under PCT Article 21(2) in Japanese, and which claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-253914,filed Dec. 25, 2015. The above applications are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference, in their entirety, into the presentapplication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a backlight unit used for a liquidcrystal display and particularly relates to an edge light type backlightunit.

2. Description of the Related Art

Since a liquid crystal display (hereinafter, also referred to as an LCD)has a low power consumption and can be used as a space-saving imagedisplay device, the applications thereof have been expanding year byyear. For example, the liquid crystal display is configured such that abacklight unit, a backlight-side polarizing plate, a liquid crystalpanel, and a viewing side polarizing plate are provided in this order.

As a backlight unit, a direct backlight unit which includes a lightsource disposed below an emission surface thereof or an edge light typebacklight unit (also referred to as a side light type backlight unit insome cases) which includes a light source disposed on a side of anemission surface thereof has been known.

A backlight unit has a great impact on the performance of an LCD such asthe luminance or visibility of an image. Accordingly, varioussuggestions for improving the luminance of light (backlight) emitted bya backlight unit have been made.

For example, it has been suggested that a reflective polarizing plate isused as a film for improving the luminance A reflective polarizing platetransmits predetermined polarized light and reflects polarized lightother than the predetermined polarized light. In a case where areflective polarizing plate is used, the reflective polarizing platetransmits only linearly polarized light responding to a backlight-sidepolarizing plate, allows the transmitted light to be incident on thebacklight-side polarizing plate, reflects polarized light other than thelinearly polarized light so that retroreflection is repeated in abacklight unit, and allows the reflected light to be incident on thereflective polarizing plate again so that the light can be reused.

For example, JP1998-3079A (JP-H10-3079A) describes a backlight unit thatuses a reflective polarizing plate reflecting circular polarization in apredetermined direction and transmitting other circular polarization dueto a cholesteric liquid crystal. In this backlight unit, the circularpolarization transmitted through the reflective polarizing plate isallowed to be incident on a λ/4 plate and then to be incident on abacklight-side polarizing plate as linearly polarized light in apredetermined direction.

While the circular polarization reflected by the reflective polarizingplate that separates circular polarization is reflected in thebacklight, a change in polarizability, for example, change of rightcircular polarization into left circular polarization, is shown. In acase where this circular polarization is incident on a reflectivepolarizing plate that uses a cholesteric liquid crystal layer again, thecircular polarization is transmitted through the reflective polarizingplate. In other words, by using the reflective polarizing plate thatreflects circular polarization, almost all light can be efficiently usedthrough the extremely small number (one to several times) of times ofreflection.

JP2015-518259A discloses a configuration of an edge light type backlightunit which uses a light guide box having a cavity therein withoutincluding a light guide plate as a configuration of a backlight unitthat is capable of uniformizing light intensity distribution in theplane of emitted light and has attempted weight reduction and costreduction. The light guide box guides light between a reflection sheetprovided on one surface thereof and a light leakage sheet facing thereflection sheet and having a plurality of light leakage holes providedin a light emission opening of the light guide box. The surface of thelight leakage sheet on the light guide box side is a reflection surfaceand the surface on the opposite side is an irregular reflection surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By using a reflective polarizing plate which transmits polarized lightin a predetermined state and reflects other polarized light as describedin JP1998-3079A (JP-H10-3079A) in a backlight unit used in an LCD,utilization efficiency of light is improved so that the luminance oflight to be incident on a liquid crystal panel can be improved.

Further, in JP2015-518259A, the light intensity can be uniformized andweight reduction is achieved, but there is a problem in that a supportframe structure for supporting the light leakage sheet at a position ofan opening portion of the light guide box is complicated so that thethickness of the light guide box is unlikely to be reduced.

In recent years, further improvement of the luminance of light to beincident on a liquid crystal panel has been required for various reasonssuch as a decrease in luminance of a display image caused by a decreasein opening ratio of a pixel due to improvement of high definition of anLCD. Further, reduction of the thickness of an LCD has been alsorequired at the same time.

The present invention has been made in consideration of theabove-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide anedge light type backlight unit which is used for an LCD or the like, iscapable of emitting light (backlight) with high luminance by furtherimproving light utilization efficiency, and can be configured to bethin.

There is provided an edge light type backlight unit comprising: a lightsource; a light guide plate which has an end surface, on which lightemitted from the light source is incident, and propagates the lightincident from the end surface; a rear-side reflective plate which isdisposed on a first principal surface side of the light guide plate; aperforated reflective plate which is disposed on a second principalsurface side of the light guide plate facing the first principal surfaceso as to face the rear-side reflective plate and has a plurality of fineholes, which penetrate from a light guide plate-side surface to anemission-side surface facing the light guide plate-side surface andtransmit light, and in which both the light guide plate-side surface andthe emission-side surface are reflection surfaces and a depolarizationdegree of the emission-side surface is 60% or less; and a circularpolarization reflection film which is disposed on the emission-sidesurface side of the perforated reflective plate.

The “depolarization degree” in the present invention is measured on aflat reflection surface that does not have fine holes. A method ofmeasuring the depolarization degree will be described below.

The “fine hole” indicates a through-hole having an opening diameter of 1mm or less.

Further, in a case where the emission surface of the backlight unit isset as the surface, the “rear surface” in the rear-side reflective plateindicates the rear surface of the backlight unit which faces thesurface.

In the edge light type backlight unit according to the presentinvention, it is preferable that the depolarization degree of the lightguide plate-side surface of the perforated reflective plate is 90% orgreater.

In the edge light type backlight unit according to the presentinvention, it is preferable that the emission-side surface of theperforated reflective plate is a specular reflection surface.

In the edge light type backlight unit according to the presentinvention, it is preferable that an area ratio of openings of the fineholes in the emission-side surface of the perforated reflective plate isin a range of 10% to 50%.

In the edge light type backlight unit according to the presentinvention, it is preferable that a ratio of a thickness of theperforated reflective plate to an opening diameter of the fine holes inthe emission-side surface of the perforated reflective plate is 2 orgreater.

In the edge light type backlight unit according to the presentinvention, the openings of the fine holes of the perforated reflectiveplate on the light guide plate-side surface respectively may have alens.

In the edge light type backlight unit according to the presentinvention, the circular polarization reflection film may be formed of aλ/4 film and a linearly polarized light reflection film which aredisposed in order from the perforated reflective plate side and mayinclude a cholesteric liquid crystal layer.

In the edge light type backlight unit according to the presentinvention, a wavelength conversion layer which receives light from thelight source and emits light having a wavelength different from that ofthe light may be provided between the light source and the perforatedreflective plate.

The edge light type backlight unit of the present invention includes: alight source; a light guide plate which has an end surface, on whichlight emitted from the light source is incident, and propagates thelight incident from the end surface; a rear-side reflective plate whichis disposed on a first principal surface side of the light guide plate;a perforated reflective plate which is disposed on a second principalsurface side of the light guide plate facing the first principal surfaceso as to face the rear-side reflective plate and has a plurality of fineholes, which penetrate from a light guide plate-side surface to anemission-side surface facing the light guide plate-side surface andtransmit light, and in which both the light guide plate-side surface andthe emission-side surface are reflection surfaces and a depolarizationdegree of the emission-side surface is 60% or less; and a circularpolarization reflection film which is disposed on the emission-sidesurface side of the perforated reflective plate. Due to thisconfiguration, it is possible to realize reduction of the thickness andemit light (backlight) with high luminance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically illustratingthe configuration of a backlight unit according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating an emission surface side ofa perforated reflective plate.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a design changeexample 1 of the backlight unit according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a design changeexample 2 of the backlight unit according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a design changeexample 3 of the backlight unit according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically illustratingthe configuration of a backlight unit according to a second embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically illustratingthe configuration of a backlight unit according to a third embodiment ofthe present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of a backlight unit of the present inventionwill be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the present specification, the numerical ranges expressed using “to”indicate the ranges including the numerical values described before andafter “to” as the lower limits and the upper limits.

The edge light type backlight unit of the present invention is mainlyused for a liquid crystal display (LCD). In an LCD, the edge light typebacklight unit is used for emitting light (backlight) for displaying animage to a liquid crystal panel formed by arranging liquid crystal cells(liquid crystal pixels).

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically illustratingthe configuration of an edge light type backlight unit according to afirst embodiment of the present invention.

A backlight unit 10 of the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1includes: a light source 14; a light guide plate which has an endsurface 16 a, on which light emitted from the light source 14 isincident, and propagates the light incident from the end surface 16 a; arear-side reflective plate 12 which is disposed on a first principalsurface 16 b side of the light guide plate 16; a perforated reflectiveplate 20 which is disposed on a second principal surface 16 c sidefacing the first principal surface 16 b of the light guide plate 16 andis disposed to face the rear-side reflective plate 12; and a circularpolarization reflection film 30 which is disposed on a surface 22 sideof the perforated reflective plate 20 opposite to a side of the lightguide plate 16.

The perforated reflective plate 20 has a plurality of fine holes 24which penetrate from a surface 21 on the light guide plate 16 side tothe emission-side surface 22 facing the surface 21 on the light guideplate 16 side and transmit light and in which both the light guideplate-side surface 21 and the emission-side surface 22 are reflectionsurfaces and a depolarization degree of the emission-side surface 22 is60% or less. Hereinafter, the light guide plate-side surface 21 of theperforated reflective plate 20 is referred to as a light guideplate-side reflection surface 21 and the emission-side surface 22 isreferred to as an emission-side reflection surface 22.

An optical member indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 1 is abacklight-side polarizing plate 39 which is typically provided in an LCDand used for converting light incident on a liquid crystal panel intopredetermined linearly polarized light.

In the backlight unit 10, light L emitted from the light source 14 isincident on an end surface 16 a of the light guide plate 16, transmittedthrough the fine holes 24 of the perforated reflective plate 20, andemitted from the opening 24 a on the circular polarization reflectionfilm 30 side while total reflection is repeatedly guided between thefirst principal surface 16 b and the second principal surface 16 c inthe light guide plate 16. Further, the light L emitted from the openings24 a is incident on the circular polarization reflection film 30.

In the light L which has been incident on the circular polarizationreflection film 30, circular polarization having a predeterminedorientation (here, left circular polarization L_(L)) is reflected by anaction of the circular polarization reflection film 30. Further, in thelight L which has been incident on the circular polarization reflectionfilm 30, other circular polarization (here, right circular polarizationL_(R)) components are emitted as linearly polarized light (this will bereferred to as first linearly polarized light L₁) having an orientationof being transmitted through the backlight-side polarizing plate 39through the circular polarization reflection film 30. Further, the leftcircular polarization LL reflected by the circular polarizationreflection film 30 is reflected by the emission-side reflection surface22 of the perforated reflective plate 20 and then converted into theright circular polarization L_(R) for reuse. By reusing the reflectedlight, light with high luminance can be allowed to be incident on thebacklight-side polarizing plate 39 (liquid crystal panel).

In the present example, the circular polarization reflection film 30 hasa λ/4 film 32 and a linearly polarized light reflection film 34,disposed in this order from the perforated reflective plate 20 side,which transmits first linearly polarized light L₁ and reflects secondlinearly polarized light L₂ orthogonal to the first linearly polarizedlight L₁. Therefore, light incident on the circular polarizationreflection film 30 is incident on the linearly polarized lightreflection film 34 through the λ/4 film 32, the first linearly polarizedlight L₁ is transmitted through the linearly polarized light reflectionfilm 34, and the second linearly polarized light L₂ is reflected.Further, the second linearly polarized light L₂ is incident on the λ/4film 32 again and emitted to the perforated reflective plate 20 side ascircular polarization (left circular polarization L_(L)) in apredetermined direction. The left circular polarization LL is convertedinto right circular polarization L_(R) after being reflected by theemission-side reflection surface 22 of the perforated reflective plate20, converted into first linearly polarized light L₁ due to the actionof 214 during transmission through the λ/4 film 32 again, and thenemitted.

The fine holes 24 provided in the perforated reflective plate 20 mayhave light-transmitting properties of transmitting light L and theinside of the holes 24 may be a space or may be filled with atransparent material that is transparent with respect to light. Here,“having light-transmitting properties” means that the lighttransmittance with respect to an incidence ray is 60% or greater.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the emission-side reflection surface22 of the perforated reflective plate 20 when seen from the normaldirection. The perforated reflective plate 20 is formed by providing aplurality of through-holes (fine holes) having a predetermined size at apredetermined pitch on a rectangular plate having a predeterminedthickness. In FIG. 2, the two-dimensional arrangement of the fine holes24 is an arrangement in which an even matrix and an odd matrix areshifted at a half pitch (so-called staggered arrangement), but thearrangement and the arrangement pitch of the fine holes 24 are notparticularly limited. The arrangement of the fine holes 24 is notlimited to the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2 and may be a matrixarrangement (so-called lattice form arrangement) in which the evenmatrix and the odd matrix match each other or are in an randomarrangement. Further, in order to make the luminance in the emissionsurface uniform, the fine holes 24 may be arranged in in-planedistribution by considering the distance between the fine holes 24 andthe light source 14. For example, the fine holes may be formed such thatthe density thereof increases as the fine holes are separated from thelight source position or the opening diameter thereof increases.Further, the arrangement pitch of the fine holes 24 may be as fine aspossible, and the distance of fine holes adjacent to each other ispreferably in a range of 0.01 to 1.0 mm.

The fine hole 24 may be formed vertically or obliquely to the reflectionsurfaces 21 and 22 of the perforated reflective plate 20. The shapes ofthe openings 24 a and 24 b of the fine hole 24 are not particularlylimited and may be an ellipse, an arc, or a polygon without limitationto a circle. Further, the shapes of the openings 24 a and 24 b of thefine hole 24 may be the same as or different from each other. It ispreferable that the fine hole 24 is a through-hole in which the shape ofa cross section in parallel with the reflection surfaces 21 and 22 is acolumn (alternatively, an oblique column) that matches the shape of theopenings, but one fine hole may be formed at a position with a differentthickness and a different cross-sectional shape. Further, the fine hole24 may have a shape in which the opening diameter gradually decreasestoward the emission-side reflection surface 22 from the light guideplate-side reflection surface 21 side.

In a case where the thickness of the perforated reflective plate 20 isset as t and the opening diameter of the fine hole 24 in theemission-side reflection surface 22 is set as d, it is preferable thatthe ratio t/d of the thickness t to the opening diameter d satisfies anexpression of “2≤t/d”. In other words, it is preferable that thethickness t of the perforated reflective plate 20 is twice or more theopening diameter of the fine hole 24. It is more preferable that anexpression of “2≤t/d≤5” is satisfied.

Further, the opening diameter d is a diameter of a circle in a casewhere the opening 24 a has a circular shape. The opening diameter d is adiameter (equivalent circle diameter) of a circle with the same area asthe opening area in a case where the opening 24 a does not have acircular shape.

The opening diameter d of the fine hole 24 is not particularly limited.For example, the opening diameter d may be set to 1 mm or less or 0.1 mmor less.

The light guide plate-side reflection surface 21 of the perforatedreflective plate 20 may be a reflection surface that efficientlyreflects light incident from the light source 14 side and thedepolarization degree thereof is not particularly limited. Here, theregion that functions as a reflection surface is a region excluding theopenings 24 b of the fine holes 24 from the light guide plate-sidereflection surface 21. It is preferable that the reflectivity of thelight guide plate-side reflection surface 21 is high. Specifically, thereflectivity thereof is preferably 90% or greater and more preferably95% or greater. From the viewpoint of sufficiently mixing light betweenthe light guide plate-side reflection surface 21 and the reflectionsurface 12 a of the rear-side reflective plate 12, it is preferable thatthe depolarization degree of the light guide plate-side reflectionsurface 21 is high. Specifically, the depolarization degree thereof ispreferably 90% or greater. Further, the light guide plate-sidereflection surface 21 may reflect light through specular reflection ordiffusion reflection. As the material constituting the light guideplate-side reflection surface 21, for example, white polyethyleneterephthalate (hereinafter, referred to as white PET) formed by mixing awhite pigment into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is suitable, but thematerial is not limited thereto.

The emission-side reflection surface 22 of the perforated reflectiveplate 20 is a reflection surface that reflects light (mainly reflectedlight that is reflected by the circular polarization reflection film 30)incident from the circular polarization reflection film 30 side, and thedepolarization degree thereof is 60% or less. Further, the region thatfunctions as the reflection surface is a region excluding the openings24 a from the emission-side reflection surface 22. It is preferable thatthe reflectivity of the emission-side reflection surface is high.Specifically, the reflectivity thereof is preferably 90% or greater andmore preferably 95% or greater.

The circular polarization L_(L) reflected by the circular polarizationreflection film 30 is incident on the emission-side reflection surface22, is specularly reflected by this emission-side reflection surface 22so that the orientation of the polarized light is reversed, and isincident on the circular polarization reflection film 30 again as thecircular polarization L_(R) having an orientation of being transmittedthrough the circular polarization reflection film 30. Even in a casewhere a part of the retroreflected light is diffusively reflected by theemission-side reflection surface 22 or depolarization occurs, the lightcan be reused through a plurality of times of reflection. However, sincestray light is generated due to the repeated reflection so that thequantity of light which cannot be reused is increased, it is preferablethat the emission-side reflection surface 22 is less likely to reflectlight through diffusion reflection and the depolarization degree thereofis as small as possible.

In a case where the depolarization degree of the emission-sidereflection surface 22 is 60% or less, the effect of improving theluminance can be sufficiently obtained by reusing reflected lightthrough retroreflection. Further, the depolarization degree thereof ismore preferably 30% or less and still more preferably 10% or less.

In addition, from the viewpoint that the depolarization degree is smalland light can be specularly reflected while the state of polarized lightis maintained, it is preferable that the emission-side reflectionsurface 22 is a specular reflection surface. Further, a smalldepolarization degree is likely to be obtained in a case where thespecular reflection surface is configured of a specular reflective plateformed of a single-layer film compared to a specular reflection surfacethat is configured of a specular reflective plate formed of a multilayerfilm obtained by laminating different materials. Among examples of thespecular reflective plate formed of a single-layer film, it ispreferable that the specular reflection surface is configured of aspecular reflective plate formed of a single-layer film obtained byvapor-depositing a metal such as silver, aluminum, or tin. Among theexamples, a specular reflective plate obtained by vapor-depositingsilver is particularly preferable. Further, a film formed by laminatinga plurality of films made of the same material is included in the rangeof the single-layer film.

The reflectivity and the depolarization degree of the light guideplate-side reflection surface 21 or the emission-side reflection surface22 of the perforated reflective plate 20 are measured as follows.

—Reflectivity—

A sample to be measured is placed on an automatic absolute reflectivitymeasuring device M-500V (manufactured by JASCO Corporation), thereflectivity of light incident on the surface (reflection surface) ofthe sample at an angle of 5° C. with respect to the normal line ismeasured, and this reflectivity is set as the reflectivity of thereflection surface thereof. In the present specification, thereflectivity of the reflection surface of the perforated reflectiveplate indicates a reflectivity of the reflection surface that does nothave an opening.

—Depolarization Degree—

The luminance is measured by transmitting parallel light through apolarizer having a transmission axis at 0°, allowing the light to passthrough a λ/4 plate having a slow axis at 45°, allowing the light to beincident on the surface (reflection surface) of the sample at an angleof 5° with respect to the normal line, allowing this reflected light topass through the λ/4 plate on the emission side to pass through ananalyzer, and disposing a color luminance meter (BM-5 (manufactured byTOPCON Corporation)).

During measurement, the λ/plate on the emission side and the analyzerare allowed to rotate as appropriate, the angles at which a minimumluminance (Ymin) and a maximum luminance (Ymax) are obtained are found,and the depolarization degree is calculated using Equation (1) based onthe minimum luminance and the maximum luminance.

Depolarization degree=100×(1−(Ymax−Ymin)/(Ymax+Ymin))  Equation (1)

In the present specification, the depolarization degree of thereflection surface of the perforated reflective plate indicates adepolarization degree of the reflection surface which does not have anopening.

The area ratio (the percentage of the total area of the openings 24 a ofa plurality of fine holes 24 to the total area of the emission-sidereflection surface 22 that includes the opening region) of the openings24 a of the fine holes 24 to the emission-side reflection surface 22 ofthe perforated reflective plate 20 is preferably in a range of 10% to50%. In a case where the area ratio of the openings 24 a is 10% orgreater, a decrease in quantity of light to be transmitted from thelight guide plate side can be suppressed. Further, in a case where thearea ratio thereof is 50% or less, the percentage at which reflectedlight, which is reflected by the circular polarization reflection film30 to be incident on the emission-side reflection surface 22, isreflected by the circular polarization reflection film 30 again can bemaintained to be a certain value or higher. Therefore, the effect ofimproving the luminance can be obtained.

The above-described perforated reflective plate 20 can be obtained byvapor-depositing a metal such as silver on one surface of white PET,preparing a double-sided reflective plate which has a metal mirrorsurface as one surface and white PET as the other surface, and formingthrough-holes in a predetermined shape such that the double-sidedreflective plate have a desired opening ratio. Further, the perforatedreflective plate 20 can be also obtained by forming a metal mirrorsurface on a transparent PET film, adhering the PET film having themetal mirror surface to white PET, preparing a double-sided reflectiveplate which has a metal mirror surface as one surface and white PET asthe other surface, and forming through-holes in the same manner asdescribed above. The thickness of the perforated reflective plate 20 ispreferably in a range of 10 to 200 μm.

The through-holes (fine holes) are formed according to a method offorming through-holes using an etching method or a method of formingthrough-holes using a punch. Moreover, in a case where the number offine holes is small, the fine holes may be formed by performing laserprocessing.

(Light Source)

The light source 14 may be a point light source such as a light emittingdiode (LED) or a line light source such as rod-like fluorescent light.Further, various known light sources which have been used for edge lighttype backlight units of the related art can be used as the light source.

(Rear-Side Reflective Plate)

The rear-side reflective plate 12 reflects light propagated through thelight guide plate 16 and emitted from the second principal surface 16 cof the light guide plate and reflected light reflected by the circularpolarization reflection film 30, transmitted through the fine holes 24of the perforated reflective plate 20, and incident on the light guideplate 16 again, toward the light guide plate 16. In a case where thebacklight unit includes such a rear-side reflective plate 12, theutilization efficiency of light can be improved.

The rear-side reflective plate 12 is not particularly limited andvarious known reflective plates can be used. In order to efficiently uselight, it is preferable that the rear-side reflective plate has areflection surface that has a low absorption and a high reflectivity.The depolarization degree may be high or low. For example, a reflectiveplate having a reflection surface formed of a multilayer film obtainedby using white PET or a polyester-based resin is suitable, but the plateis not limited thereto. Examples of the multilayer film obtained byusing a polyester-based resin include ESR (trade name, manufactured by3M Japan Limited).

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the rear-side reflective plate 12 may bedisposed by being separated from the second principal surface 16 c ofthe light guide plate 16 or may be bonded to the second principalsurface 16 c of the light guide plate 16 using a pressure sensitiveadhesive or the like as in a backlight unit 10A illustrated as a designchange example 1 in FIG. 3. In a case where the rear-side reflectiveplate 12 is bonded to the light guide plate 16, the light guiding thelight guide plate 16 is repeatedly reflected and guided between thefirst principal surface 16 b of the light guide plate 16 and thereflection surface 12 a of the rear-side reflective plate 12.

(Circular Polarization Reflection Film)

According to the present embodiment, the circular polarizationreflection film 30 is formed of a combination of the λ/4 film 32 and thelinearly polarized light reflection film 34 which are disposed in orderfrom the perforated reflective plate 20 side as described above. In FIG.1, the circular polarization reflection film 30 formed by integrallylaminating the λ/4 film 32 and the linearly polarized light reflectionfilm 34 is illustrated, but the circular polarization reflection film 30may be formed by separating the λ/4 film 32 from the linearly polarizedlight reflection film 34 and laminating the λ/4 film 32 and theemission-side reflection surface 22 of the perforated reflective plate20 on each other as in a backlight unit 10B illustrated as a designchange example 2 in FIG. 4.

Further, as still another form of a circular polarization reflectionfilm, a circular polarization reflection film 35 may be formed of acombination of a circular polarization separation film 36 and a λ/4 film38 which are arranged in order from the perforated reflective plate 20side as in a backlight unit 10C illustrated as a design change example 3in FIG. 5.

The λ/4 film 32 and the linearly polarized light reflection film 34 thatconstitute the circular polarization reflection film 30 will bedescribed.

As the linearly polarized light reflection film 34, known films can beappropriately used as long as the film transmits the first linearlypolarized light L₁ which is linearly polarized light in a predetermineddirection and reflects the second linearly polarized light L₂ which isorthogonal to the first linearly polarized light L₁.

Similarly, the λ/4 film 32 is not particularly limited, and a known λ/4plate can be used as the film. Further, the λ/4 plate is typicallyconfigured of a support and a λ/4 layer formed on the support, but maybe configured of only a λ/4 layer obtained by coating a support with aλ/4 layer and then removing the support from the layer. Further, the λ/4plate may be formed by directly coating the perforated reflective plate20 or the linearly polarized light reflection film 34 with a λ/4 layer.In a case where the perforated reflective plate 20 or the linearlypolarized light reflection film 34 is directly coated with a λ/4 layer,the entire thickness of the backlight unit can be reduced.

The circular polarization separation film 36 and the λ/4 film 38 whichconstitute the circular polarization reflection film 35 will bedescribed.

Various known films can be used as the circular polarization separationfilm 36 as long as the film reflects predetermined circular polarizationand transmits circular polarization other than the predetermined light.

For example, circular polarization separation plates described inJP1997-133810A (JP-H09-133810A), JP3591699B, and WO2015/029958A can beused. The preferable ranges of the liquid crystal compounds to be usedare the same as those described in WO2015/029958A.

Specifically, the circular polarization separation film 36 is formed asfollows.

It is preferable that the circular polarization separation film 36 isformed using a liquid crystal material. Further, in a case where thecircular polarization separation film 36 is formed using a liquidcrystal material, it is preferable that the circular polarizationseparation film is formed by coating the surface of an alignment filmwith a coating solution and curing the surface using a support having asurface provided with an alignment film.

In addition, the circular polarization reflection film 35 may be formedby forming an alignment film on a support, forming the λ/4 film 38 onthe alignment film, and directly coating the λ/4 film 38 with thecircular polarization separation film 36.

As an example, the circular polarization separation film 36 may beformed using a liquid crystal material having a cholesteric structure.

(Cholesteric Structure)

The cholesteric structure is known to exhibit selective reflectionproperties at a specific wavelength. A central wavelength λ of selectivereflection depends on a pitch (period of a helix) of a helical structurein the cholesteric structure and follows a relationship of “λ=n×P” whichis the relationship between an average refractive index n and thecentral wavelength λ. Accordingly, the selective reflection wavelengthcan be adjusted by adjusting the pitch of this helical structure. Sincethe pitch of the cholesteric structure depends on the type of a chiralagent used together with a polymerizable liquid crystal compound duringthe formation of the circular polarization separation film 36 or theaddition concentration thereof, a desired pitch can be obtained byadjusting these. Further, the adjustment of the pitch is described indetail in Fujifilm Research Report No. 50 (2005), p. 60 to 63. As amethod of measuring the sense or the pitch of a helix, the methodsdescribed in “Introduction to Liquid Crystal Chemical Experiment” editedby The Japanese Liquid Crystal Society, published by Sigma Publishing(2007), p. 46 and “Liquid Crystal Handbook”, edited by Liquid CrystalHandbook Editing Committee, Maruzen-Yushodo Company, Ltd., p. 196 can beused.

The cholesteric structure shows a striped pattern formed of brightportions and dark portions in a cross-sectional image showing thecircular polarization separation film 36 measured using a scanningelectron microscope (SEM). Two repetitions of bright portions and darkportions (two bright portions and two dark portions) correspond to onepitch of a helix. Based on this, the pitch can be measured using across-sectional SEM image. Each normal line of the striped pattern is ahelical axis direction.

Further, reflected light of the cholesteric structure is circularpolarization. In other words, the reflected light of the circularpolarization separation film 36 is circular polarization as describedabove. Whether the reflected light is right circular polarization orleft circular polarization depends on the twisted direction of the helixin the cholesteric structure. In the selective reflection caused by thecholesteric liquid crystal, right circular polarization is reflected ina case where the twisted direction of the helix in the cholestericstructure is right and left circular polarization is reflected in a casewhere the twisted direction of the helix is left. In the example of FIG.3, left circular polarization is reflected.

As the circular polarization separation film 36, any of a right twistedcholesteric liquid crystal and a left twisted cholesteric liquid crystalmay be used. Further, the direction of revolving a cholesteric liquidcrystalline phase can be adjusted depending on the type of a liquidcrystal compound or the type of a chiral agent to be added.

In a half-width Δλ (nm) of a selective reflection band (circularpolarization reflection band) showing the selective reflection, Δλdepends on a pitch P and a birefringence Δn of a liquid crystal compoundand follows a relationship of Δλ=Δn×P. Accordingly, the width of theselective reflection band can be controlled by adjusting Δn. Further, Δncan be adjusted by adjusting the type of a polymerizable liquid crystalcompound or a mixing ratio thereof or controlling the temperature at thetime of alignment fixation.

The half-width of a reflection wavelength range is adjusted depending onthe performance or the like required for a backlight unit. Thehalf-width of the reflection wavelength range may be, for example, in arange of 50 to 500 nm and preferably in a range of 100 to 300 nm.

In FIG. 3, the circular polarization separation film 36 is illustratedas one layer. However, the circular polarization separation film 36 mayhave a multilayer configuration.

For example, the circular polarization separation film 36 that reflectsleft circular polarization L_(L) and transmits right circularpolarization L_(R) may have a configuration of three layers consistingof a layer which corresponds to red light (R light), reflects leftcircular polarization of L_(L) of red light, and transmits light otherthan the left circular polarization L_(L) of red light; a layer whichcorresponds to green light (G light), reflects left circularpolarization L_(L) of green light, and transmits light other than theleft circular polarization L_(L) of green light; and a layer whichcorresponds to blue light (B light), reflects left circular polarizationL_(L) of blue light, and transmits light other than the left circularpolarization L_(L) of blue light.

Alternatively, the circular polarization separation film 36 thatreflects left circular polarization L_(L) and transmits right circularpolarization L_(R) may have a configuration of two layers consisting ofa layer which corresponds to R light and G light, reflects left circularpolarization L_(L) of red and green light, and transmits light otherthan the left circular polarization L_(L) of red and green light; and alayer which corresponds to blue light (B light), reflects left circularpolarization L_(L) of blue light, and transmits light other than theleft circular polarization L_(L) of blue light.

Alternatively, the circular polarization separation film 36 thatreflects left circular polarization L_(L) and transmits right circularpolarization L_(R) may have a configuration of two layers consisting ofa layer which corresponds to R light, reflects left circularpolarization L_(L) of red light, and transmits light other than the leftcircular polarization L_(L) of red light; and a layer which correspondsto green light and blue light, reflects left circular polarization L_(L)of green and blue light, and transmits light other than the leftcircular polarization L_(L) of green and blue light.

In the circular polarization separation film 36 having such a multilayerconfiguration, layers with respective colors may be laminated in anyorder.

The layers corresponding to respective colors of R light, G light, and Blight can be formed by adjusting the helical pitch in the cholestericstructure of the liquid crystal material forming the circularpolarization separation film 36. Further, the helical pitch in thecholesteric structure can be adjusted by, for example, selecting thetype of chiral agent or the addition concentration of the chiral agent.

The circular polarization separation film 36 having such a multilayerstructure can be prepared by applying and curing a liquid crystalcomposition which becomes the first layer to form the first layer andapplying a liquid crystal composition which becomes the second layeronto the first layer and curing the layer to form the second layer, in acase of the two-layer configuration. Further, the third and subsequentlayers can be formed according to the same method as described above.

The circular polarization reflection film 35 has a configuration inwhich the λ/4 film 38 is provided on the light emission side of thecircular polarization separation film 36. As described above, thecircular polarization reflection film 35 may be a laminated film formedby directly coating the λ/4 film 38 with the circular polarizationseparation film 36 or a laminated film formed by adhering the circularpolarization separation film 36 and the λ/4 film 38, which have beenseparately prepared, to each other using a pressure sensitive adhesivelayer. In a case where the circular polarization separation film 36 andthe λ/4 film 38 are disposed in this order from the perforatedreflective plate 20 side, the both films 36 and 38 may not be allowed toadhere to each other or may not be brought into contact with each other.As the λ/4 film 38, for example, a known λ/4 plate such as a λ/4 plateobtained by forming an alignment film on a support and forming anoptically anisotropic layer that contains a liquid crystal compound onthe alignment film or a λ/4 plate obtained by laminating a retardationfilm can be used.

The right circular polarization L_(R) which has been transmitted throughthe circular polarization separation film 36 is converted into linearlypolarized light corresponding to the backlight-side polarizing plate 39by the λ/4 film 38 and then emitted from the emission surface side ofthe λ/4 film 38 (that is, the circular polarization reflection film 35).

Since the backlight unit 10 of the present embodiment described aboveand the backlight units 10A to 10C of the design change examples 1 to 3respectively include the perforated reflective plate 20 and thedepolarization degree of the emission-side reflection surface 22 is 60%or less, the depolarization of predetermined circular polarizationreflected by the circular polarization reflection film 30 or 35 issuppressed, the orientation of the polarized light is reversed by theemission-side reflection surface 22, and a large quantity of reflectedlight components can be allowed to be incident on the circularpolarization reflection film 30 again as the circular polarizationhaving an orientation of being transmitted through the circularpolarization reflection film 30. An increase in stray light generated ina case where the reflection of reflected light is repeated several timescan be suppressed, reuse of the reflected light can be efficientlyperformed, and the effect of improving the luminance can be sufficientlyobtained.

In a backlight unit of the related art, there is a case where a prismsheet is disposed between a light guide plate and a polarized lightreflective plate for the purpose of improving the luminance, but thedepolarization degree of polarized light is increased and theutilization efficiency of reflected light is decreased in a case where aprism sheet is used. Meanwhile, the backlight unit of the presentinvention does not include a prism sheet or a diffusion plate thatincreases the depolarization degree of polarized light reflected by thereflective polarizer, and thus the depolarization degree of thereflection surface of polarized light is 60% or less, which is small,and the state of polarized light can be maintained. Therefore, polarizedlight reflected by the circular polarization reflection film can beefficiently used.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically illustratingthe configuration of a backlight unit 40 according to the secondembodiment. The same elements as in the backlight unit 10 according tothe first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 are denoted by the samereference numerals and the detailed description thereof will not beprovided. The same applies hereinafter.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the backlight unit 40 of the presentembodiment is different from the backlight unit 10 of the firstembodiment in terms that a lens sheet 42 is provided on the light guideplate-side reflection surface 21 of the perforated reflective plate 20.The lens sheet 42 is a sheet member having a plurality of lens portions44 on the surface thereof and is bonded to the light guide plate-sidereflection surface 21 such that each lens portion 44 is positioned inthe opening 24 b of the fine hole 24 on the light guide plate side inthe perforated reflective plate 20. In a case where the opening 24 b hasthe lens portion 44, the directivity of light, to be incident to theopening 24 b, toward the circular polarization reflection film 30 can beincreased and thus the front luminance can be improved.

In FIG. 6, the lens sheet 42 in which one lens portion 44 is provided inone fine hole 24 is illustrated, but a lens sheet formed bytwo-dimensionally arranging a plurality of lens portions in a largernumber than the number of fine holes 24 may be used. The lens sheet 42may be allowed to adhere to the light guide plate-side reflectionsurface 21 of the perforated reflective plate 20 through a pressuresensitive adhesive.

<Method of Producing Lens Sheet and Adhesion Method>

The lens sheet 42 is not particularly limited as long as the lens sheetis a film having an optical lens. In FIG. 4, the lens portion 44 has aconvex shape, but may have a concave shape in a case where the lensportion has a function of converging light on the emission side of theperforated reflective plate 20. From the viewpoint of excellentproductivity of the lens sheet 42, it is preferable that the lensportion 44 has a convex shape. As the lens sheet, for example, a lensfilm described in JP2015-49363A can be suitably used.

Examples of the shape of the lens portion 44 include a spherical segmentshape (shape formed by cutting a sphere out with a plane), a sphericalsegment stand shape (shape formed by cutting a sphere with two planes inparallel with each other), an ellipsoidal spherical segment shape (shapeformed by cutting a revolving ellipsoid out with one plane), anellipsoidal spherical segment stand shape (shape formed by cutting arevolving ellipsoid out with two planes in parallel with each other), apyramid shape, a truncated pyramid shape, a conical shape, a truncatedcone shape, a Fresnel shape, a diffraction lattice shape, a prism shape,and a cylindrical shape. These shapes of the lens portions 44 may beused alone or in combination of two or more kinds thereof. Among theshapes of the lens portions 44, from the viewpoint of excellentluminance, a spherical segment shape, a spherical segment stand shape,an ellipsoidal spherical segment shape, an ellipsoidal spherical segmentstand shape, a pyramid shape, a truncated pyramid shape, a conicalshape, and a truncated cone shape are preferable; and a sphericalsegment shape, an ellipsoidal spherical segment shape, a pyramid shape,and a truncated pyramid shape are more preferable.

In a case where the shape of the lens portion 44 is a spherical segmentshape, a spherical segment stand shape, an ellipsoidal spherical segmentshape, an ellipsoidal spherical segment stand shape, a pyramid shape, atruncated pyramid shape, a conical shape, or a truncated cone shape, theaspect ratio of the lens portion 44 is preferably in a range of 0.3 to1.4, more preferably in a range of 0.35 to 1.3, and still morepreferably in a range of 0.4 to 1.0 from the viewpoint of excellentluminance. Further, the aspect ratio of the lens portion 44 is set as aratio of the height of the lens portion 44 to the longest diameter ofthe bottom portion of the lens portion 44.

From the viewpoint of excellent luminance, the height of the lensportion 44 is preferably in a range of 0.25 to 75 μm, more preferably ina range of 0.5 to 65 μm, and still more preferably in a range of 1 to 50μm.

In the present specification, the height of the lens portion 44indicates the height from the flat surface of the sheet on which thelens portion 44 is provided to the highest portion (vertex) of the lensportion 44 in a case of the convex structure. Further, the heightthereof indicates the depth from the flat surface of the sheet on whichthe lens portion 44 is provided to the lowest portion in a case of theconcave structure. In addition, the height of the lens portion 44 isobtained by imaging the cross section of the lens sheet 42 using ascanning electron microscope, measuring the height of each lens portion44 at five sites, and acquiring the average value thereof.

From the viewpoint of excellent luminance, the pitch of the lensportions 44 is preferably in a range of 0.5 to 150 μm, more preferablyin a range of 1 to 130 μm, and still more preferably in a range of 2 to100 μm.

In the present specification, the pitch of the lens portions 44indicates the shortest distance between the highest portions or thelowest portions of the lens portions 44. The pitch of the lens portions44 is obtained by imaging the surface of the lens sheet 42 having thelens portions 44 using a scanning electron microscope, measuring theshortest distance between the highest portions or the lowest portions ofthe lens portions 44 at five sites, and acquiring the average valuethereof.

Examples of the shapes of the bottom portions (portions on the flatsurface) of the lens portions 44 include a quadrangle such as a squareor a rectangle; a circle; and an ellipse. The shapes of the bottomportions of the lens portions 44 may be used alone or in combination oftwo or more kinds thereof. Among the shapes of the bottom portions ofthe lens portions 44, from the viewpoint of excellent luminance, aquadrangle, a circle, and an ellipse are preferable; and a square, arectangle, and a circle are more preferable.

In the present specification, the bottom portion of the lens portion 44indicates a virtual planar portion enclosed by the outer peripheral edgeon the flat surface of the sheet on which the lens portion 44 is formed.

The resin in the material of the lens sheet 42 is not particularlylimited as long as the resin has cleared a solvent resistance test andhas a high light transmittance in a visible light wavelength range(approximately 400 to 700 nm), and examples thereof include an acrylicresin; a polycarbonate resin; a polyester resin such as polyethyleneterephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, or polyethylene naphthalate;a styrene resin such as polystyrene or anacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) resin; and a vinylchloride resin. Among these resins, from the viewpoints of a high lighttransmittance in a visible light wavelength range and excellent solventresistance, heat resistance, mechanical characteristics, and formingprocessability, an acrylic resin is preferable.

From the viewpoint of excellent luminance, the refractive index of theresin in the material of the lens sheet 42 is preferably in a range of1.40 to 2.00, more preferably in a range of 1.43 to 1.95, and still morepreferably in a range of 1.46 to 1.90.

From the viewpoints of excellent light-transmitting properties of thelens sheet 42 and excellent luminance, the content of the resin in thematerial of the lens sheet 42 is preferably 90% by mass or greater, morepreferably 95% by mass or greater, still more preferably 97% by mass orgreater, and particularly preferably 99% by mass or greater.

The material of the lens sheet 42 may contain components other than theresin within the range not damaging the performance of the lens sheet42. Examples of the other components include light diffusing fineparticles, a release agent, a flame retardant, an antistatic agent, aleveling agent, an antifouling property improving agent, a dispersionstabilizer, and a viscosity-adjusting agent.

From the viewpoint of suppressing degradation of the performance of thelens sheet 42, the content of other components in the material of thelens sheet 42 is preferably 10% by mass or less, more preferably 5% bymass or less, still more preferably 3% by mass, and particularlypreferably 1% by mass or less.

As a method of producing the lens sheet 42, a production method ofsupplying an active energy ray curable composition to a region between abase material and a mold formed by arranging a plurality of transferportions having a reversed structure of the lens portion 44 andirradiating the region between the mold and the base material withactive energy rays may be exemplified.

Examples of a light emitting source of active energy rays include achemical lamp, a low-pressure mercury lamp, a high-pressure mercurylamp, a metal halide lamp, an electrodeless ultraviolet lamp, a visiblelight halogen lamp, and a xenon lamp.

The integrated light quantity of the active energy rays may beappropriately set according to the type of the active energy ray curablecomposition, but is preferably in a range of 0.01 to 10 J/cm² and morepreferably in a range of 0.5 to 8 J/cm² from the viewpoints of excellentcurability of the active energy ray curable composition and suppressingdegradation of the lens sheet 42.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically illustratingthe configuration of a backlight unit 50 according to a thirdembodiment.

The backlight unit 50 of the present embodiment is different from thebacklight unit 10 of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 in termsthat a wavelength conversion layer 52 which is excited by the incidenceray and generates light having a wavelength different from thewavelength of the incidence ray is provided on the second principalsurface 16 c of the light guide plate 16. Further, the backlight unit 50is different from the backlight unit 10 of the first embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1 in terms that a light source 15 that emits theincidence ray having an excitation wavelength of the wavelengthconversion layer 52 is provided. Except for these points, the backlightunit 50 is the same as the backlight unit 10 and exerts the same effectsas those of the backlight unit 10.

The wavelength conversion layer 52 may be directly formed on the secondprincipal surface 16 c of the light guide plate 16, but may beseparately prepared to have a sheet shape and then allowed to adhereonto the second principal surface 16 c through a pressure sensitiveadhesive. Further, the wavelength conversion layer 52 is not limited tothe form provided on the second principal surface 16 c of the lightguide plate 16 and may be disposed at a site through which light emittedfrom the light source 15 passes. For example, the wavelength conversionlayer 52 may be provided on the first principal surface 16 b side of thelight guide plate 16.

The wavelength conversion layer 52 converts the wavelength of theincidence ray into a relatively long wavelength. The wavelengthconversion layer 52 contains a wavelength conversion material 54 whichis excited by the incidence ray of a fluorescent body, a quantum dot, ora combination of these and generates light having a wavelength differentfrom that of the incidence ray.

The fluorescent body may typically be an organic fluorescent body or aninorganic fluorescent body. According to an exemplary embodiment, thefluorescent body may be a yellow fluorescent body. Such a yellowfluorescent body may be a YAG-based fluorescent material, asilicate-based fluorescent material, an oxynitride fluorescent material,or a combination of these, but is not limited to these.

The quantum dot has a size of several nanometers to several tens ofnanometers as a semiconductor nanoparticle having a core-shell structureand has a characteristic of emitting light having different wavelengthsaccording to the size of particle due to the quantum confinement effect.More specifically, the quantum dot generates intense light in a narrowwavelength band, and light diverging from the quantum dot is generatedat the time of transition of an electron in an excited state to avalence band from a conduction band. At this time, the quantum dot has aproperty in which light having a short wavelength is generated as theparticle of the quantum dot is as small as possible and light having along wavelength is generated as the particle thereof. Accordingly, byadjusting the size of the quantum dot, entire light in a visible lightrange having a desired wavelength can be emitted.

The quantum dot may contain any one nanocrystal from among a Si-basednanocrystal, a Group II-VI compound semiconductor nanocrystal, a GroupIII-V compound semiconductor nanocrystal, a Group IV-VI compoundsemiconductor nanocrystal, and a mixture of these.

The Group II-VI compound semiconductor nanocrystal may be any one ofCdS, CdSe, CdTe, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, HgS, HgSe, HgTe, CdSeS, CdSeTe, CdSTe,ZnSeS, ZnSeTe, ZnSTe, HgSeS, HgSeTe, HgSTe, CdZnS, CdZnSe, CdZnTe,CdHgS, CdHgSe, CdHgTe, HgZnS, HgZnSe, HggZnTe, CdZnSeS, CdZnSeTe,CdZnSTe, CdHgSeS, CdHgSeTe, CdHgSTe, HgZnSeS, HgZnSeTe, and HgZnSTe.

Further, the Group III-V compound semiconductor nanocrystal may be anyone of GaPAs, AlNP, AINAs, AlPAs, InNP, InNAs, InPAs, GaAlNP, GaAlNAs,GaAlPAs, GaInNP, GaInNAs, GaInPAs, InAlNP, InAlNAs, and InAlPAs; and theGroup IV-VI compound semiconductor nanocrystal may be SbTe.

The wavelength conversion layer 52 may contain one kind of quantum dots.For example, the wavelength conversion layer 52 may contain yellowquantum dots converting the wavelength of the incidence ray into awavelength of yellow light. However, the kind of quantum dots to becontained therein is not limited thereto, and the wavelength conversionlayer 52 may contain two or more kinds of quantum dots. For example, thewavelength conversion layer 52 may contain red quantum dots convertingthe wavelength of the incidence ray into a wavelength of red light andgreen quantum dots converting the wavelength of the incidence ray into awavelength of green light.

The wavelength conversion layer 52 may further contain a dispersionmedium that disperses wavelength conversion materials other than thewavelength conversion material 54 such as a fluorescent body or quantumdots. In other words, the fluorescent body or quantum dots can bedispersed in the form of being naturally coordinated to a dispersionmedium such as an organic solvent or a polymer resin. As such adispersion medium, any medium can be used as long as the medium istransparent within the range not impacting the wavelength conversionperformance of the fluorescent body or quantum dots, not reflectinglight, and not causing light absorption.

The organic solvent may contain at least one of toluene, chloroform, orethanol, and the polymer resin may contain at least one of epoxy,silicone, polystyrene, or acrylate.

Further, the wavelength conversion layer 52 may further contain a UVinitiator, a thermosetting additive, a crosslinking agent, a diffusingagent, and a combination of these other than the dispersion medium.

The backlight unit 50 of the present embodiment may include a blue LEDas the light source 15 and a wavelength conversion layer 52 formed bydispersing quantum dots which are excited by blue light and emit greenlight and quantum dots which are excited by blue light and emit redlight in a matrix.

In addition, the wavelength conversion layer 52 may be interposedbetween two sheets of barrier films that suppress transmission of oxygenand moisture.

Hereinbefore, the backlight unit of the present invention has beendescribed in detail, but the present invention is not limited to theabove-described examples, and various improvements or modifications canalso be made within the range not departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail withreference to examples. The materials, the reagents, the use amounts, theamounts of materials, the ratios, the treatment contents, and thetreatment procedures shown in the examples described below can bechanged as appropriate within the range not departing from the gist ofthe present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present inventionshould not be limitatively interpreted by the following specificexamples.

Example 1

A preparation method of Example 1 will be described.

First, a rear-side reflective plate was obtained by adhering whitepolyethylene terephthalate (hereinafter, white PET) formed by mixing awhite pigment into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) having a thicknessof 100 μm to an acrylic plate having a thickness of 2 mm. The white PETsurface constitutes the reflection surface.

An acrylic plate having a thickness of 2 mm was used as a light guideplate. A perforated reflective plate E-1A described below was disposedon one principal surface of the light guide plate and theabove-described rear-side reflective plate was disposed on the otherprincipal surface facing the one principal surface thereof. In addition,a circular polarization reflection film 1 described below was disposedon the opposite side of the light guide plate of the perforatedreflective plate E-1A. The interval between the light guide plate andthe rear-side reflective plate was set to 50 μm A light source of awhite LED was disposed at a position where the emitted light from thelight source was incident on an end surface of the light guide plate.

In this manner, an edge light type backlight unit was prepared.

—Perforated Reflective Plate E-1A—

An iPad Air (registered trademark) (manufactured by Apple Inc.) wasdisassembled and a multilayer film used as a reflection film of abacklight was taken out.

A silver reflection film 1 was prepared by forming a silver thin filmlayer having a thickness of 80 nm on one surface of a PET film having athickness of 25 μm as a metal reflection layer according to a vacuumdeposition method.

The silver reflection film 1 was allowed to adhere to one surface of themultilayer film such that the PET film side became the multilayer filmside using a pressure sensitive adhesive (SK-DYNE (registered trademark)2057, manufactured by Soken Chemical & Engineering Co., Ltd.). In thismanner, a double-sided reflective plate provided with one reflectionsurface serving as a mirror surface formed of a silver thin film layerand having a small depolarization degree and the other surface servingas a reflection surface formed of a multilayer film and having a largediffusion and a large depolarization degree was obtained.

A plurality of through-holes (fine holes) were formed in thisdouble-sided reflective plate using a hollow punch having a diameter of1 mm. The plurality of fine holes were formed by adjusting the number ofthe fine holes such that the opening ratio thereof was set to 10%.

The perforated reflective plate E-1A prepared in the above-describedmanner was disposed such that the surface of the silver thin film layerwas set as a viewing side and the surface of the multilayer film was setas a light guide plate side. Further, the reflectivity of the surface ofthe silver thin film layer in the silver reflection film 1 was 99% andthe depolarization degree was 4%. Further, the reflectivity of thesurface of the multilayer film was 99% and the depolarization degree was95%. The reflectivity and the depolarization degree of both surfaceswere measured in the state before the fine holes were formed. Thereflectivity and the depolarization degree were measured according tothe above-described measuring method. The same applies to the followingexamples.

—Circular Polarization Reflection Film 1—

The circular polarization reflection film 1 was formed of a λ/4 film anda linearly polarized light reflection film. Both films were allowed toadhere to each other using a pressure sensitive adhesive such that theangle between the transmission axis of the linearly polarized lightreflection film and the slow axis of the λ/4 film was set to 45°,thereby preparing a circular polarization reflection film 1.

Here, a QL film (manufactured by Fujifilm Corporation) was used as theλ/4 film. As the linearly polarized light reflection film, an iPad Air(registered trademark) (manufactured by Apple Inc.) was disassembled anda film used as a luminance improvement film was taken out and then used.

The circular polarization reflection film 1 was disposed such that theλ/4 film was on the perforated reflective plate side.

Example 2

A perforated reflective plate P-2A was used in place of the perforatedreflective plate E-1A of Example 1. A backlight unit of Example 2 wasprepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the perforatedreflective plate P-2A was used.

—Perforated Reflective Plate P-2A—

White PET having a thickness of 100 μm similar to that of the rear-sidereflective plate was prepared. Further, a silver reflection film 2 wasobtained by coating one surface of a PET film having a thickness of 25μm with a mixture formed by mixing 4% by mass of transparent fineparticles, having a particle diameter of 6 μm and being formed of anurethane-based resin, into a polyester urethane-based resin according toa gravure coating method, preparing an uneven layer on the surfacethereof, and forming a silver thin film layer having a thickness of 80nm as a metal reflection layer according to a vacuum deposition method.

The silver reflection film 2 was allowed to adhere to one surface of thewhite PET such that the PET film side became one surface side of thewhite PET using a pressure sensitive adhesive (SK-DYNE (registeredtrademark) 2057, manufactured by Soken Chemical & Engineering Co.,Ltd.). In this manner, a double-sided reflective plate provided with onesurface serving as a mirror surface formed of a silver thin film layerand having a small depolarization degree and the other surface servingas a reflection surface formed of white PET and having a large diffusionand a large depolarization degree was obtained.

A plurality of through-holes (fine holes) were formed in thisdouble-sided reflective plate using a hollow punch having a diameter of1 mm. The plurality of fine holes were formed by adjusting the number ofthe fine holes such that the opening ratio thereof was set to 10%.

The perforated reflective plate P-2A prepared in the above-describedmanner was disposed such that the surface of the silver thin film layerwas set as a viewing side and the surface of the white PET was set as alight source side. Further, the reflectivity of the surface of thesilver thin film layer in the silver reflection film 2 was 99% and thedepolarization degree was 30%. Further, the reflectivity of the surfaceof the white PET was 99% and the depolarization degree was 95%.

Example 3

A perforated reflective plate P-3A was used in place of the perforatedreflective plate P-2A of Example 2. A backlight unit of Example 3 wasprepared in the same manner as in Example 2 except that the perforatedreflective plate P-3A was used.

—Perforated Reflective Plate P-3A—

The perforated reflective plate P-3A was prepared in the same manner asthat for the perforated reflective plate P-2A except that a silverreflection film 3 was used in place of the silver reflection film 2.

The silver reflection film 3 was obtained by coating one surface of aPET film having a thickness of 25 μm with a mixture formed by mixing 15%by mass of transparent fine particles, having a particle diameter of 6μm and being formed of an urethane-based resin, into a polyesterurethane-based resin according to a gravure coating method, preparing anuneven layer on the surface thereof, and forming a silver thin filmlayer having a thickness of 80 nm as a metal reflection layer accordingto a vacuum deposition method. Further, the reflectivity of the surfaceof the silver thin film layer in the silver reflection film 3 was 99%and the depolarization degree was 60%.

Example 4

A perforated reflective plate P-1B was used in place of the perforatedreflective plate P-2A of Example 2. A backlight unit of Example 4 wasprepared in the same manner as in Example 2 except that the perforatedreflective plate P-1B was used.

—Perforated Reflective Plate P-1B—

The silver reflection film 1 was used in place of the silver reflectionfilm 2 in the perforated reflective plate P-2A. Further, the openingratio of fine holes was adjusted to 25% at the time of forming the fineholes. A perforated reflective plate P-1B was obtained in the samemanner as that for the perforated reflective plate P-2A except for thesepoints.

Example 5

A perforated reflective plate P-2B provided with fine holes having anopening ratio of 25% was used in the same configuration of theperforated reflective plate 2A of Example 2. A backlight unit of Example5 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 2 except that theperforated reflective plate P-2B was used.

Example 6

A perforated reflective plate P-1C provided with fine holes having anopening ratio of 50% was used in the same configuration of theperforated reflective plate P-1B of Example 4. A backlight unit ofExample 6 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 4 except thatthe perforated reflective plate P-1C was used.

Example 7

A circular polarization reflection film 2 was used in place of thecircular polarization reflection film 1 in Example 1. A backlight unitof Example 7 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except thatthe circular polarization reflection film 2 was used.

The circular polarization reflection film 2 includes a λ/4 layer formedby being applied onto the silver reflection film 1 of the perforatedreflective plate E-1A in place of a QL film (manufactured by FujifilmCorporation) as a λ/4 film.

—Formation of λ/4 Film on Silver Reflection Film—

A λ/4 was formed on the silver reflection film 1 before holes wereformed in the step of preparing the perforated reflective plate E-1A.After the surface of the silver reflection film 1 was subjected to asurface treatment, an alignment layer was formed and a λ/4 layer wasformed on the alignment layer.

<Formation of Alignment Layer>

The surface of the silver reflection film was subjected to a surfacetreatment by performing a corona treatment and then continuously coatedwith an alignment layer coating solution having the followingcomposition using a #14 wire bar.

(Alignment Layer Coating Solution)

Modified polyvinyl alcohol described below   10 parts by mass Water  371parts by mass Methanol  119 parts by mass Glutaraldehyde  0.5 parts bymass Photopolymerization initiator (IRGACURE  0.3 parts by mass(registered trademark) 2959)(In the following structural formula, the proportion is a molar ratio.)

Modified Polyvinyl Alcohol

The applied alignment layer coating solution was dried by hot air at 60°C. for 60 seconds and further dried by hot air at 100° C. for 120seconds.

A rubbing treatment was continuously performed on the obtained coatedfilm, thereby preparing a support provided with an alignment layer.Further, the rubbing treatment was performed such that the longitudinaldirection of the support was in parallel with the transport directionand a rotation axis of a rubbing roller was set in a direction of 45°clockwise with respect to the longitudinal direction of the support.

<Formation of λ/4 Layer>

A coating solution for forming a λ/4 layer described below was prepared.

(Coating Solution for Forming λ/4 Layer)

Discotic liquid crystal compound (the following D1)   80 parts by massDiscotic liquid crystal compound (the following D2)   20 parts by massAlignment assistant agent (the following OA1)  0.9 parts by massAlignment assistant agent (the following OA2)  0.1 parts by massPolymerization initiator (the following IN2)    3 parts by mass Methylethyl ketone (MEK)  301 parts by mass

The alignment layer was continuously coated with the coating solutionfor forming a λ/4 layer using a #3.6 wire bar. The transport speed ofthe support was 20 m/min.

For the purpose of drying the solvent of the coating solution andalignment maturing of the discotic liquid crystal compound, the supportwas heated with hot air at 60° C. for 90 seconds. Next, ultraviolet rayemission (200 mJ/cm²) was performed at 70° C., and the alignment of theliquid crystal compound was fixed to form a λ/4 layer.

In this manner, the alignment layer and the λ/4 layer were formed on thesilver reflection film 1 of the double-sided reflective plate formed byadhering the silver reflection film 1 onto a multilayer film, and holeswere formed in the same manner as in Example 1, thereby obtaining aperforated reflective plate 1-EA provided with a λ/4 layer.

Example 8

An iPad Air (registered trademark) (manufactured by Apple Inc.) wasdisassembled and a multilayer film used as a reflection film of abacklight was taken out and then used as a rear-side reflective plate. Abacklight unit of Example 8 was prepared in the same manner as inExample 1 except that this multilayer film was used as a rear-sidereflective plate was used in place of the white PET and the multilayerfilm and the light guide plate were allowed to adhere to each otherusing a pressure sensitive adhesive (SK-DYNE (registered trademark)2057, manufactured by Soken Chemical & Engineering Co., Ltd.).

Example 9

A backlight unit of Example 9 was prepared in the same manner as inExample 1 except that a lens sheet was attached to the surface of theperforated reflective plate E-1A on the multilayer film side.

Further, in the procedures for preparing the perforated reflective plateE-1A, a pressure sensitive adhesive (SK-DYNE (registered trademark)2057, manufactured by Soken Chemical & Engineering Co., Ltd.) wasallowed to adhere to the surface on the multilayer film side before fineholes were formed so that holes were also formed in the pressuresensitive adhesive layer at the same time with the formation of the fineholes.

A lens sheet was prepared using an acrylic resin with reference to themethod described in JP2015-49363A. The formed pitch of a lens in thelens sheet was 10 μm, and the lens shape was circular in a plan view. Asthe base material of the lens sheet, an acrylic sheet having a thicknessof 2 mm was used.

The lens sheet was allowed to adhere to the surface of the perforatedreflective plate 1A on the multilayer film side such that the lenssurface side was brought into close contact with the pressure sensitiveadhesive layer. Since the uneven lens was filled with the pressuresensitive adhesive in the portion other than the fine holes, thecondensing effect of the lens appeared only in the holes.

Example 10

A thick perforated reflective plate P-1AT including a PET laminate wasused in place of the perforated reflective plate E-1A in Example 1. Abacklight unit of Example 10 was prepared in the same manner as inExample 1 except that the perforated reflective plate P-1AT was used.

—Perforated Reflective Plate P-1AT—

Four sheets of white PET having a thickness of 100 μm formed by using arear-side reflective plate were laminated using a pressure sensitiveadhesive having a thickness of 25 μm (SK-DYNE (registered trademark)2057, manufactured by Soken Chemical & Engineering Co., Ltd.), therebyobtaining a PET laminate having a thickness of 475 μm. The silverreflection film 1 was allowed to adhere to one surface of the PETlaminate using the same pressure sensitive adhesive, and holes wereformed in the same manner as in Example 1 using a hollow punch having adiameter of 100 μm, thereby obtaining a perforated reflective plateP-1AT.

The perforated reflective plate 1D of the present example had athickness t of 500 μm, the fine holes had an opening diameter d of 100μm, and the thickness t and the opening diameter d satisfied an equationof “t/d=5”.

Example 11

A circular polarization reflection film 3 was used in place of thecircular polarization reflection film 1 in Example 1. A backlight unitof Example 11 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 exceptthat the circular polarization reflection film 2 was used.

—Circular Polarization Reflection Film 3—

The circular polarization reflection film 3 was configured to be formedof a λ/4 film (λ/4 layer) and a cholesteric liquid crystal layerfunctioning as a circular polarization separation film.

—Preparation of Circular Polarization Reflection Film 3—

<<Preparation of Support Provided with Alignment Layer>>

<<Alkali Saponification Treatment of Cellulose Acylate Film BaseMaterial>>

A long cellulose acylate film (TD40UL, manufactured by FujifilmCorporation) was used as a support.

The support was allowed to pass through a dielectric heating roll at atemperature of 60° C. and the surface temperature of the film wasincreased to 40° C. Thereafter, one surface of the support was coatedwith an alkali solution having the following composition such that thecoating amount thereof was set to 14 ml/m² using a bar coater, and thenthe surface was heated to 110° C.

(Alkali Solution)

Potassium hydroxide  4.7 parts by mass Water 15.8 parts by massIsopropanol 63.7 parts by mass Surfactant (C₁₄H₂₉O(CH₂CH₂O)₂₀H)   1 partby mass Propylene glycol 14.8 parts by mass

The support coated with the alkali solution was transported for 10seconds under a steam type far infrared heater (manufactured by NORITAKECO., LTD.).

Next, the support was coated with pure water in a ratio of 3 ml/m² usinga bar coater. Next, the support was washed with water using a fountaincoater and dewatered using an air knife three times, transported to adrying zone at 70° C. for 10 seconds, and dried, thereby preparing asupport (cellulose acylate film) having a surface subjected to an alkalisaponification treatment.

<<Formation of Alignment Layer>>

An alignment layer coating solution was prepared according to the samemethod as the method of forming the alignment layer described in Example7, and the surface of the support, on which the alkali saponificationtreatment had been performed, was coated with the alignment layercoating solution so that an alignment layer was formed, therebypreparing a support provided with an alignment layer.

<Preparation of Support Provided with λ/4 Layer>

A coating solution for forming a λ/4 layer was prepared according to thesame method as the method of forming the λ/4 layer described in Example7, a λ/4 layer was applied to and formed on the alignment layer, therebypreparing a support provided with a λ/4 layer.

<Preparation of Circular Polarization Separation Plate>

A coating solution (D-IV) containing the following discotic liquidcrystal compound was prepared.

(Coating solution (D-IV) containing discotic liquid   80 parts by masscrystal compound) Discotic liquid crystal compound (D1 described above)Discotic liquid crystal compound (D2 described   20 parts by mass above)Chiral agent (the following CH4)  3.8 parts by mass Polymerizationinitiator (IRGACURE (registered    3 parts by mass trademark) 2959)Polymerization initiator (the following IN4)    1 part by mass Methylethyl ketone (MEK) 189.9 parts by mass tert-Butyl alcohol  58.4 parts bymass Cyclohexane  43.8 parts by mass

The λ/4 layer of the prepared support provided with a λ/4 layer wascontinuously coated with the coating solution (D-IV) containing adiscotic liquid crystal compound using a #3.6 wire bar. The transportspeed of the film was 20 m/min.

For the purpose of drying the solvent of the coating solution andalignment maturing of the discotic liquid crystal compound, the film washeated with hot air at 110° C. for 160 seconds. Next, ultraviolet rayemission (150 mJ/cm²) was performed at 50° C. and the alignment of theliquid crystal compound was fixed, thereby preparing a first layer of acircular polarization separation film having a film thickness of 3 μm.

<<Preparation of Optical Laminate (A)>>

First, a terminal fluorinated alkyl group-containing polymer (compoundA) having an optically active site was obtained by performing theprocedures described in paragraph [0065] of JP4570377B. Specifically, acompound A was obtained as follows.

50 parts by mass of a fluorine-based solvent AK-225 (manufactured byASAHI GLASS CO., LTD., a mixed solvent of1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoro-3,3-dichloropropane and1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoro-1,3-dichloropropane at a molar ratio of 1:1.35)and 5.22 parts by mass of a reactive chiral agent (a compound 7, thesymbol “*” in the formula represents an optically active site) havingoptical activity with the following structure were put into a four-neckflask provided with a condenser, a thermometer, a stirrer, and adropping funnel, the temperature of the reaction container was adjustedto 45° C., and 6.58 parts by mass of a 10 mass % solution ofdiperfluoro-2-methyl-3-oxahexanoyl peroxide/AK225 was added dropwise tothe reaction container. After completion of the dropwise addition, thesolution was allowed to react in a nitrogen stream at 45° C. for 5hours, and the product was concentrated to 5 ml, re-precipitated withhexane, and dried, thereby obtaining 3.5 parts by mass (yield of 60%) ofa terminal fluorinated alkyl group-containing polymer (compound A)having an optically active site.

The molecular weight of the obtained polymer was measured by gelpermeation chromatography (GPC) using tetrahydrofuran (THF) as adeveloping solvent. As the result, Mn was 4,000 (Mw/Mn=1.77). Further,the fluorine content was measured, and the fluorine content was 5.89% bymass.

One surface of a long cellulose acylate film (TD80UL (manufactured byFujifilm Corporation) having a size of 100 meters or greater was coatedwith an alignment film coating solution containing 10 parts by mass ofpolyvinyl alcohol and 371 parts by mass of water and dried, therebyforming an alignment film having a thickness of 1 μm. Next, a rubbingtreatment was continuously performed on the alignment film in adirection parallel to the longitudinal direction of the film.

The alignment film was coated with a composition for forming acholesteric liquid crystal layer (A) with the following compositionusing a bar coater, dried at room temperature for 10 seconds, heated(alignment maturing) in an oven at 100° C. for 2 minutes, and irradiatedwith ultraviolet rays for 30 minutes, thereby preparing an opticallaminate (A) having a cholesteric liquid crystal layer (A) with athickness of 5 μm.

(Composition for Forming Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Layer (A))

The following compound 8 8.2 parts by mass Polymerization initiator (IN2described above) 0.3 parts by mass Terminal fluorinated alkylgroup-containing 1.9 parts by mass polymer (compound A) having opticallyactive site prepared as described above Methyl ethyl ketone  24 parts bymass

As the result of observation of a cross section of the cholestericliquid crystal layer (A) using a scanning electron microscope, it wasfound that the layer had a helical axis in the layer normal directionand a structure in which the cholesteric pitch was continuously changed.Here, in regard to the cholesteric pitch, at the time of observation ofthe cross section of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer using ascanning electron microscope, the width of the layer formed by a brightpart and a dark part being repeated two times (bright-dark-bright-dark)in the layer normal direction was counted as one pitch.

Further, in a case where the short wavelength side of the cholestericpitch in the short thickness direction is defined as an x surface andthe long wavelength side thereof is defined as a y surface, as theresult of measurement of the cholesteric pitch using AXOSCAN(manufactured by Axometrics, Inc.), the cholesteric reflectionwavelength in the vicinity of the x surface side was 500 nm and thecholesteric reflection wavelength in the vicinity of the y surface sidewas 700 nm.

From the viewpoints of manufacturing suitability and enablingpreparation of an optical sheet member using a so-called roll-to-rollsystem, it is preferable to use a long cellulose acylate film. The longfilm to be used is not limited thereto as long as the cholesteric liquidcrystal layer can be transferred.

The first layer of the circular polarization separation film prepared inthe above-described manner and the optical laminate (A) were bonded byallowing the first layer and the cholesteric liquid crystal layer (A) toface each other using an acrylic UV curing adhesive according to aroll-to-roll system. Next, the cellulose acylate film was peeled offfrom the optical laminate (A) and only the cholesteric liquid crystallayer (A) was transferred onto the first layer to form a second layer ofthe circular polarization separation film. In this manner, a circularpolarization reflection film 3 having a λ/4 layer and a cholestericlayer on the support was obtained.

The circular polarization reflection film 3 was disposed such that thecholesteric liquid crystal layer was positioned on the perforatedreflective plate side.

Comparative Example 1

A perforated reflective plate E-A formed of only white PET which wasobtained by removing the silver reflection film 1 from the perforatedreflective plate E-1A in Example 1 was used. The reflectivities of bothsurfaces of the perforated reflective plate E-A were respectively 99%and the depolarization degrees thereof were respectively 95%. Theperforated reflective plate E-A was used and a configuration free fromthe circular polarization reflection film and the light guide plate inExample 1 was employed. The same multilayer film as in Example 8 wasused as the rear-side reflective plate.

The perforated reflective plate E-A was disposed such that a spacer wasinterposed between the multilayer film serving as a rear-side reflectiveplate and the perforated reflective plate E-A such that the intervaltherebetween was 10 mm. Further, a white LED was disposed at a positionof allowing light to be incident to the interval between the perforatedreflective plate E-1A and the rear-side reflective plate from a side.

In this manner, an edge light type backlight unit of Comparative Example1 was prepared.

Comparative Example 2

A light guide plate formed of the same acrylic plate having a thicknessof 2 mm as that in Example 1 was disposed between the perforatedreflective plate E-1A and the rear-side reflective plate in thebacklight unit of Comparative Example 1, and the interval between theperforated reflective plate E-1A and the rear-side reflective plate wasset in the same manner as in Example 1.

Comparative Example 3

A backlight unit of Comparative Example 3 was prepared in the samemanner as in Comparative Example 2 except that the linearly polarizedlight reflection film was disposed on the emission surface side(opposite side to the light guide plate) of the perforated reflectiveplate E-A in the backlight unit of Comparative Example 2. As thelinearly polarized light reflection film, similar to the film used inthe circular polarization reflection film 1, an iPad Air (registeredtrademark) (manufactured by Apple Inc.) was disassembled and a film usedas a luminance improvement film was taken out and then used.

Comparative Example 4

A perforated reflective plate P-4A was used in place of the perforatedreflective plate P-2A in Example 2. A backlight unit of ComparativeExample 4 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 2 except thatthe perforated reflective plate P-4A was used.

—Perforated Reflective Plate P-4A—

The perforated reflective plate P-4A was prepared in the same manner asthat for the perforated reflective plate P-2A except that a silverreflection film 4 was used in place of the silver reflection film 2.

The silver reflection film 4 was obtained by coating one surface of aPET film having a thickness of 25 μm with a mixture formed by mixing 20%by mass of transparent fine particles, having a particle diameter of 6μm and being formed of an urethane-based resin, into a polyesterurethane-based resin according to a gravure coating method, preparing anuneven layer on the surface thereof, and forming a silver thin filmlayer having a thickness of 80 nm as a metal reflection layer accordingto a vacuum deposition method. Further, the reflectivity of the surfaceof the silver thin film layer in the silver reflection film 4 was 99%and the depolarization degree was 70%.

Example 12

In the backlight unit of Example 1, a wavelength conversion member wasprovided on the surface of the light guide plate on the rear-sidereflective plate side. Further, a blue LED was used in place of thewhite LED as a light source. A backlight unit of Example 12 was preparedin the same manner as in Example 1 except for these points. In thepresent example, the light guide plate and the wavelength conversionmember were respectively allowed to adhere to the rear-side reflectiveplate and the wavelength conversion layer using a pressure sensitiveadhesive (SK-DYNE (registered trademark) 2057, manufactured by SokenChemical & Engineering Co., Ltd.).

—Wavelength Conversion Member—

The wavelength conversion member has a configuration in which awavelength conversion layer is interposed between two barrier films.

The wavelength conversion member was prepared as follows.

<Preparation of Barrier Film>

An organic layer and an inorganic layer were sequentially formed on onesurface side of a support by performing the following procedures using apolyethylene terephthalate film (PET film, trade name: COSMOSHINE(registered trademark), manufactured by TOYOBO Co., LTD., A4300,thickness of 50 μm) as a support.

Trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA, manufactured by Daicel-Cytec Co.,Ltd.) and a photopolymerization initiator (ESACURE KT046, manufacturedby Lamberti S.P.A.) were prepared, weighed such that the mass ratiobetween these was set to 95:5, and dissolved in methyl ethyl ketone toobtain a coating solution having a concentration of solid contents of15% by mass. The above-described PET film was coated with this coatingsolution using a die coater according to a roll-to-roll system and wasallowed to pass through a drying zone at an ambient temperature of 50°C. for 3 minutes. Thereafter, the film was irradiated (integratedirradiation quantity of approximately 600 mJ/cm²) with ultraviolet raysin a nitrogen atmosphere, cured by ultraviolet curing, and wound up. Thethickness of a first organic layer formed on the support was 1 μm.

Next, an inorganic layer (silicon nitride layer) was formed on a surfaceof the first organic layer using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD)device having a roll-to-roll system. Silane gas (flow rate of 160 sccm),ammonia gas (flow rate of 370 sccm), hydrogen gas (flow rate of 590sccm), and nitrogen gas (flow rate of 240 sccm) were used as rawmaterial gas. A high-frequency power source having a frequency of 13.56MHz was used as a power source. The film forming pressure was 40 Pa andthe ultimate thickness was 50 nm.

A laminated film obtained by laminating an inorganic layer on a surfaceof the first organic layer formed on the support was prepared in theabove-described manner.

Further, a second organic layer was formed on a surface of the inorganiclayer of the laminated film prepared in the above-described manner.

The second organic layer was prepared by weighing 5.0 parts by mass of aphotopolymerization initiator (Irg184, manufactured by BASF SE) withrespect to 95.0 parts by mass of an urethane bond-containing acrylatepolymer (ACRIT 8BR930, manufactured by TAISEI FINE CHEMICAL CO, LTD.)and dissolving these in methyl ethyl ketone to obtain a coating solutionhaving a concentration of solid contents of 15% by mass.

A surface of the inorganic layer of the laminated film was directlycoated with this coating solution using a die coater according to aroll-to-roll system and was allowed to pass through a drying zone at anambient temperature of 100° C. for 3 minutes. Thereafter, the laminatedfilm coated with the coating solution and then dried was wound around aheat roller heated to a surface temperature of 60° C., irradiated(integrated irradiation quantity of approximately 600 mJ/cm²) withultraviolet rays to be cured, and wound up. The thickness of the secondorganic layer formed on the inorganic layer of the laminated film asdescribed above was 1 μm.

In this manner, a barrier film having the first organic layer, theinorganic layer, and the second organic layer on the support in thisorder was prepared.

<Preparation of Coating Solution for Wavelength Conversion Layer>

The following quantum dot-containing polymerizable composition A wasprepared, filtered using a polypropylene filter with a pore diameter of0.2 μm, dried under reduced pressure for 30 minutes, and used as acoating solution for a wavelength conversion layer. The concentration ofthe quantum dot in the following toluene dispersion liquid was 1% bymass.

Quantum dot-containing polymerizable composition A (coating solution forwavelength conversion layer) Toluene dispersion liquid of quantum dot 1(maximum 10.0 parts by mass emission wavelength: 520 nm) Toluenedispersion liquid of quantum dot 2 (maximum  1.0 part by mass emissionwavelength: 620 nm) Lauryl methacrylate 80.8 parts by massTrimethylolpropane triacrylate 18.2 parts by mass Photopolymerizationinitiator (IRGACURE 819  1.0 part by mass (manufactured by BASF SE))

As the toluene solution of the quantum dot 1, a green quantum dotdispersion liquid CZ520-100 (manufactured by NN-LABS, LLC) having anemission wavelength of 520 nm was used. Further, as the toluene solutionof the quantum dot 2, a red quantum dot dispersion liquid CZ620-100(manufactured by NN-LABS, LLC) having an emission wavelength of 620 nmwas used. These were both quantum dots in which CdSe was used as a core,ZnS was used as a shell, and octadecylamine was used as a ligand anddispersed in toluene at a concentration of 3% by mass.

<Preparation of Wavelength Conversion Member>

A wavelength conversion member formed by interposing a wavelengthconversion layer between a first film and a second film was obtained byusing the barrier films prepared by performing the above-describedprocedures as the first film and the second film. Specifically, asurface of the second organic layer was coated with the quantumdot-containing polymerizable composition A prepared in theabove-described manner using a die coater while the first film wascontinuously transported at a tension of 1 m/min and then a tension of60 N/m to form a coated film having a thickness of 50 μm. Next, thefirst film on which the coated film had been formed was wound around abackup roller, the second film was laminated on the coated film at anorientation at which the surface of the second organic layer was broughtinto contact with the coated film, and the laminate was continuouslytransported in a state in which the coated film was interposed betweenthe first film and the second film and allowed to pass through a heatingzone at 100° C. for 3 minutes. Thereafter, the laminate was irradiatedwith ultraviolet rays using an air-cooled metal halide lamp(manufactured by EYE GRAPHICS CO., LTD.) having a laser intensity of 160W/cm, and the coated film of the quantum dot-containing polymerizablecomposition A was cured to form a wavelength conversion layer containingquantum dots. The irradiation quantity of ultraviolet rays was 2000mJ/cm². The thickness of the wavelength conversion layer formed by beingcured was approximately 50 μm. In this manner, a wavelength conversionmember formed by interposing the wavelength conversion layer between twosheets of barrier films was obtained.

Example 13

An acrylic film having a thickness of 20 μm was used as a light guideplate in place of an acrylic plate having a thickness of 2 mm in Example12. A backlight unit of Example 13 was prepared in the same manner as inExample 12 except for this point. Since the light guide plate was madethin, a backlight unit which was extremely thin as a whole was able tobe realized.

Comparative Example 5

The perforated reflective plate E-A formed of only a multilayer filmobtained by removing the silver reflection film 1 from the perforatedreflective plate E-1A in Example 12 was used. A backlight unit ofComparative Example 5 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 12except that the perforated reflective plate E-A was used and a linearlypolarized light reflection film was used in place of the circularpolarization reflection film in Example 12.

The front luminance was measured and evaluated in the following mannerwith those prepared in the examples and comparative examples in theabove-described manners.

A backlight portion in a commercially available liquid crystal displaydevice (AL2216W, manufactured by Acer Incorporated) obtained by usingtwisted nematic (TN) type liquid crystal cells was replaced by those ofExamples 1 to 13 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5. White display wasperformed using this liquid crystal display device and the luminance wasmeasured in each display.

Specifically, the front luminance was measured in a state in which whitedisplay was performed by the liquid crystal display device of eachexample left in a room under conditions of 25° C. and 60% RH using ameasuring device (EZ-Contrast 160D, manufactured by ELDIM Co., Ltd.).

The configurations and the evaluation results of Examples 1 to 11 andComparative Examples 1 to 4 were collectively listed in Table 1.Further, the configurations and the evaluation results of Examples 12and 13 and Comparative Example 5 were collectively listed in Table 2.

The front luminance was evaluated as follows using the front luminanceof Comparative example 3 as a reference in Table 1 and using the frontluminance of Comparative example 5 as a reference in Table 2.

AA: 150% or greater of the front luminance of the reference

A: 140% or greater of the front luminance of the reference

B: 125% or greater and less than 140% of the front luminance of thereference

C: 115% or greater and less than 125% of the front luminance of thereference

D: 105% or greater and less than 115% of the front luminance of thereference

E: 95% or greater and less than 105% of the front luminance of thereference

F: less than 95% of the front luminance of the reference

In evaluation of the thickness, a case where an acrylic plate having athickness of 2 mm was used as a light guide plate was evaluated as good,a case where an acrylic film having a thickness of 20 μm was used wasevaluated as excellent, and a case where an interval of 10 mm wasrequired without using a light guide plate was evaluated as poor.

TABLE 1 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6Example 7 Example 8 Structure Polarized light reflection film CircularCircular Circular Circular Circular Circular Circular Circular ofpolarization polar- polar- polar- polarization polarization polarizationpolarization backlight reflection ization ization ization reflectionreflection reflection reflection unit film 1 reflection reflectionreflection film 1 film 1 film 2 film 1 (linearly film 1 film 1 film 1(linearly polarized polarized light light reflection reflection film +λ/4 layer +λ/ film) 4 film applied to reflective plate) PerforatedStructure E-1A P-2A P-3A P-1B P-2B (white P-1C (white E-1A E-1Areflective (multilayer (white (white (white PET + PET + silver platefilm + silver PET + PET + PET + silver reflection reflection silversilver silver reflection film 1) film 1) reflection reflectionreflection film 2) film 2) film 3) film 1) Reflectivity on 99% 99% 99%99% 99% 99% 99% 99% viewing side Reflectivity on 99% 99% 99% 99% 99% 99%99% 99% light source side Depolarization  4% 30% 60%  4% 30%  4%  4%  4%degree on viewing side Depolarization 95% 95% 95% 95% 95% 95% 95% 95%degree on light source side Opening ratio 10% 10% 10% 25% 25% 50% 10%10% — — — — — — — — Light guide plate Acrylic Acrylic Acrylic AcrylicAcrylic Acrylic Acrylic plate Acrylic plate plate plate plate plateplate plate Light source White LED White White White White LED White LEDWhite LED White LED LED LED LED Rear-side reflective plate White PETWhite White White White PET White PET White PET ESR PET PET PETEvaluation Front luminance B C D C D D B A Thickness Good Good Good GoodGood Good Good Good Comparative Comparative Comparative ComparativeExample 9 Example 10 Example 11 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4Structure Polarized light reflection film Circular Circular CircularNone None Linearly Circular of polarization polarization polarizationpolarized polarization backlight reflection reflection reflection lightreflection unit film 1 film 1 film 3 (λ/4 reflection film 1 layer + filmcholesteric liquid crystal layer) Perfored Structure E-1A P-1AT (thickE-1A E-A E-A E-A P-4A (white reflective PET film + (multilayer PET +silver plate silver film) reflection reflection film 4) film 1)Reflectivity on 99% 99% 99% 99% 99% 99% 99% viewing side Reflectivity on99% 99% 99% 99% 99% 99% 99% light source side Depolarization  4%  4%  4%95% 95% 95% 70% degree on viewing side Depolarization 95% 95% 95% 95%95% 95% 95% degree on light source side Opening ratio 10% 10% 10% 10%10% 10% 10% Lens sheet — — — — — — Light guide plate Acrylic Acrylicplate Acrylic — Acrylic plate Acrylic plate Acrylic plate plate plateLight source White LED White LED White LED White LED White LED White LEDWhite LED Rear-side reflective plate White PET White PET White PET ESRESR ESR White PET Evaluation Front luminance AA AA B F F Reference EThickness Good Good Good Poor Good Good Good

TABLE 2 Comparative Example 12 Example 13 Example 5 Structure ofPolarized light reflection film Circular Circular Linearly backlightunit polarization polarization polarized light reflection film 1reflection film 1 reflection film (linearly polarized light reflectionfilm + λ/4 film) Perforated Structure E-1A (multilayer E-1A E-A(multilayer reflective film + silver film) plate reflection film 1)Reflectivity on 99% 99% 99% viewing side Reflectivity on 99% 99% 99%light source side Depolarization  4%  4% 95% degree on viewing sideDepolarization 95% 95% 95% degree on light source side Opening ratio 10%10% 10% Light guide plate Acrylic plate Acrylic film Acrylic plateWavelength Wavelength Wavelength conversion layer conversion layerconversion layer Light source Blue LED Blue LED Blue LED Rear-sidereflective plate White PET White PET White PET Evaluation Frontluminance B A Reference Thickness Good Excellent Good

As listed in Table 1 and Table 2, the front luminance of each exampleaccording to the present invention was D or higher, in other words, afront luminance of 105% or greater of the reference was obtained, andthus the effect of improving the luminance by using the configurationsof the present invention was confirmed. Particularly in a case where theratio between the thickness of the perforated reflective plate and theopening diameter was increased or the directivity of light emitted fromfine holes of the perforated reflective plate was improved by disposinga lens in a hole as in Examples 9 and 10, the effect of improving theluminance was extremely high.

In the case where a light guide plate is not provided as in ComparativeExample 1, a certain thickness is required in order to have a structurein which a constant interval between the rear-side reflective plate andthe perforated reflective plate is maintained, and the thickness of thebacklight unit is unlikely to be reduced, but a desired thickness can beachieved so that the backlight unit can be thinned in a case where alight guide plate is used.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

-   -   10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 40, 50: backlight unit    -   12: rear-side reflective plate    -   12 a: reflection surface    -   14, 15: light source    -   16: light guide plate    -   16 a: end surface of light guide plate    -   16 b: first principal surface of light guide plate    -   16 c: second principal surface of light guide plate    -   20: perforated reflective plate    -   21: light guide plate-side reflection surface (light guide        plate-side surface)    -   22: emission-side reflection surface (emission-side surface)    -   24: fine hole    -   24 a, 24 b: opening    -   30, 35: circular polarization reflection film    -   32: λ/4 film    -   34: linearly polarized light reflection film    -   36: circular polarization separation film    -   38: λ/4 film    -   39: backlight-side polarizing plate    -   42: lens sheet    -   44: lens portion    -   52: wavelength conversion layer    -   54: wavelength conversion material    -   L: light    -   L₁: first linearly polarized light    -   L₂: second linearly polarized light    -   L_(L): left circular polarization    -   L_(R): right circular polarization

What is claimed is:
 1. An edge light type backlight unit comprising: alight source; a light guide plate which has an end surface, on whichlight emitted from the light source is incident, and propagates thelight incident from the end surface; a rear-side reflective plate whichis disposed on a first principal surface side of the light guide plate;a perforated reflective plate which is disposed on a second principalsurface side of the light guide plate facing the first principal surfaceso as to face the rear-side reflective plate and has a plurality of fineholes, which penetrate from a light guide plate-side surface to anemission-side surface facing the light guide plate-side surface andtransmit light, and in which both the light guide plate-side surface andthe emission-side surface are reflection surfaces and a depolarizationdegree of the emission-side surface is 60% or less; and a circularpolarization reflection film which is disposed on the emission-sidesurface side of the perforated reflective plate.
 2. The edge light typebacklight unit according to claim 1, wherein the depolarization degreeof the light guide plate-side surface of the perforated reflective plateis 90% or greater.
 3. The edge light type backlight unit according toclaim 1, wherein the emission-side surface of the perforated reflectiveplate is a specular reflection surface.
 4. The edge light type backlightunit according to claim 1, wherein an area ratio of openings of the fineholes in the emission-side surface of the perforated reflective plate isin a range of 10% to 50%.
 5. The edge light type backlight unitaccording to claim 1, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the perforatedreflective plate to an opening diameter of the fine holes in theemission-side surface of the perforated reflective plate is 2 orgreater.
 6. The edge light type backlight unit according to claim 1,wherein the openings of the fine holes of the perforated reflectiveplate on the light guide plate-side surface respectively have a lens. 7.The edge light type backlight unit according to claim 1, wherein thecircular polarization reflection film is formed of a λ/4 film and alinearly polarized light reflection film which are disposed in orderfrom the perforated reflective plate side.
 8. The edge light typebacklight unit according to claim 1, wherein the circular polarizationreflection film includes a cholesteric liquid crystal layer.
 9. The edgelight type backlight unit according to claim 1, wherein a wavelengthconversion layer which receives light from the light source and emitslight having a wavelength different from that of the light is providedbetween the light source and the perforated reflective plate.